"I saw him as a complete sensualist -- senses highly tuned, awake to everything, quite amoral. I particularly like him because he thrives on conflict."-- Sean Connery

Next to the Beatles and Stones, James Bond was the greatest British import of the 1960s.

As first embodied by Sean Connery in "Dr. No," Agent 007 was a fearless, cool-as-ice spy who excelled at sleuthing, fighting, womanizing and, just for good sport, saving the world. He emerged in October 1962 at the height of the Cold War and space race. President Kennedy was still alive. The Vietnam War still a whisper.

But how could such a stoic and aloof secret agent, such a paragon of one-night stands, such a wisecracking, gun-toting, martini-drinking, rule-breaking brash brainy Brit hope to survive past the first film?

It is now the longest-running franchise in the history of cinema. On Nov. 9, the 23rd Bond movie, "Skyfall" starring Daniel Craig, hits theaters. Audiences have changed. It doesn't matter. Six different actors have portrayed 007, and it doesn't matter. Even seismic technological and cultural upheavals don't bend Bond.

Why?

Is it the action, the sex, the eye candy, the villains, the intrigue, the gadgets, the cars, the exotic locations?

Yes.

It's also the opening sequences, the title songs, the opening credits, the posters, the trailers, M, Q, and in an amazing melding of man-and-music, the thrilling theme with the killer guitar riff that instantly identifies 007's deviousness and danger-quotient.

"The James Bond Theme" is arguably the most potent movie music ever, or at least in the top three, next to the shower scene in "Psycho" and the approaching shark in "Jaws."

All of the accoutrements are important, but none more important than the man himself.

Bond can defy his boss, shoot a bad guy, parachute to safety, pop a champagne cork, deftly drop a double entendre and bed a beauty all in mere minutes. His suits are Savile Row. He's an expert in literature, languages, art, fine wines. He has a sharp tongue and laser wit. He looks most excellent in tuxedo, scuba gear or pajama bottoms.

And he's quite fit. At 50, there are no signs of slowing.

A definitive introduction

Bond debuted in Ian Fleming's spy novel "Casino Royale" in 1953. "Dr. No" was the sixth Fleming book, but it became the first film, debuting in England on Oct. 5, 1962 and arriving in America the following May.

We don't meet 007 until about eight minutes in. He is at Le Cercle club playing baccarat chemin de fer. He is winning, and an attractive woman is losing big but keeps betting. When the camera pans the gaming table, we don't see his face. We see his cigarette case and hear his voice.

"I admire your courage, Miss -- "

"Trench," she replies. "Sylvia Trench."

That name would be lost to the popcorn crumbs of movie history.

Then she says, "I admire your luck, Mr. -- "

He lights a cigarette and we see his face for the first time. It's a handsome face.

"Bond." Pause. "James Bond."

Four seconds elapse between the first "Bond" and "James," just enough time for four notes of the "James Bond Theme" to kick in. The scene is so simplistic and yet so multilayered. Who is this impeccably dressed man who is seemingly in command of this night, this universe? Director Terence Young juiced the mystery of Bond as long as he could, culminating in the most rudimentary response: his name. Yet it would define a character for half a century.

Connery, by way of a working-class background and service in the Royal Navy, was 31 when he shot "Dr. No." He had acted in mostly forgettable fare and was best known for cavorting with leprechauns in "Darby O'Gill and the Little People."

It was a brilliant stroke of casting.

The Bond phenomenon affected movie culture, pop culture and spy culture (the KGB reportedly wanted to steal all of the latest gadgets the British Secret Service was developing). It spawned a multitude of spinoffs, rip-offs and spoofs, including "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," "Mission: Impossible," and "Get Smart," and served as the template for the "Indiana Jones" movies and Mike Myers' hilarious "Austin Powers" series. ("Welcome to my underground layy-errr.")

Perhaps most amazing: How could 007 possibly have survived in the age of feminism? Talk about objectifying women, he's essentially Hugh Hefner with a gun, especially with characters named Plenty O'Toole, Pussy Galore and Holly Goodhead.

The answer: Women like Bond, too. They could probably do without the T&A and suggestive names, but they like watching him.

He couldn't have run for 50 years with male fans alone.

We love Bond for a many reasons, but we may love him most of all for one salient fact: He always gets away with it.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.